04-21831. Reports, Forms, and Recordkeeping Requirements

AGENCY:

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Department of Transportation.

ACTION:

Request for public comment on an extension of a currently approved collection.

SUMMARY:

Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from the public, it must receive approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Under procedures established by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, before seeking OMB approval, Federal agencies must solicit public comment on proposed collections of information, including extensions and reinstatement of previously approved collections.

This document describes one collection of information for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval.

DATES:

Comments must be received on or before November 29, 2004.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments [identified by DOT Docket No. NHTSA-2004-18737] by any of the following methods:

• Web site: http://dms.dot.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments on the DOT electronic docket site.
• Fax: [phone].
• Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-001.
• Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.

Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and docket number for this proposed collection of information. Note that all comments received will be posted without change to http://dms.dot.gov including any personal information provided.

Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments received, go to http://dms.dot.gov at any time or to Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Complete copies of each request for collection of information may be obtained at no charge from Deborah Mazyck, NHTSA 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room 5320, NVS-131, Washington, DC 20590. Ms. Mazyck's telephone number is [phone]. Please identify the relevant collection of information by referring to its OMB Control Number.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, before an agency submits a proposed collection of information to OMB for approval, it must first publish a document in the Federal Register providing a 60-day comment period and otherwise consult with members of the public and affected agencies concerning each proposed collection of information. The OMB has promulgated regulations describing what must be included in such a document. Under OMB's regulation (at 5CFR 1320.8(d), an agency must ask for public comment on the following:

(i) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(ii) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

(iii) how to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;

(iv) how to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g. permitting electronic submission of responses.

In compliance with these requirements, NHTSA asks for public comments on the following proposed collections of information:

Title: Consolidated Vehicle Identification Number Requirements and Motor Vehicle Theft.

OMB Control Number: 2127-0510.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

Form Number: This collection of information uses no standard forms.

Abstract: NHTSA's statute at 15 U.S.C. 1392, 1397, 1401, 1407, and 1412 of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 authorizes the issuance of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) and the collection of data which support their implementation. The agency, in prescribing an FMVSS, is to consider available relevant motor vehicle safety data and to consult with other agencies as it deems appropriate. Further, the Act mandates, that in issuing any FMVSS, the agency should consider whether the standard is reasonable, practicable, and appropriate for the particular type of motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment for which it is prescribed, and whether such standards will contribute to carrying out the purpose of the Act. The Secretary is authorized to revoke such rules and regulations as deemed necessary to carry out this subchapter. Using this authority, the agency issued the initial FMVSS No. 115, Vehicle Identification Number, specifying requirements for vehicle identification numbers to aid the agency in achieving many of its safety goals.

The standard was amended in August 1978 by extending its applicability to additional classes of motor vehicles and by specifying the use of a 30-year, 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) for worldwide use. The standard was amended in May 1983 by deleting portions of FMVSS No. 115 and reissuing those portions as a general agency regulation, part 565. Subsequently, the standard was amended again in June 1996 transferring the text of the FMVSS No. 115 to part 565, without making any substantive changes to the VIN requirements as a result of the proposed consolidation. The provision of the part 565 (amended) regulation requires vehicle manufacturers to assign a unique VIN to each new vehicle and to inform NHTSA of the code used in forming the VIN. These regulations apply to all vehicles: passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, buses, trailers, incomplete vehicles, and motorcycles.

Part 541

The Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act was amended by the Anti-Car Theft Act of 1992 (Pub.L. 102-519.) The enacted Theft Act requires specified parts of high-theft vehicle to be marked with vehicle identification numbers. In a final rule published on April 6, 2004, the Federal Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard was extended to include all passenger cars and multipurpose passenger vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 6,000 pounds or less, and to light duty trucks with major parts that are interchangeable with a majority of the covered major parts of multipurpose passenger vehicles. Each major component part must be either labeled or affixed with the VIN and its replacement component part must be marked with the DOT symbol, the letter (R) and the manufacturers' logo. The final rule becomes effective September 1, 2006.

Part 567

This part specifies the content and location of, and other requirements for, the certification label or tag to be affixed to motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment. Specifically, the VIN is required to appear on the certification label. Additionally, this certificate will provide the consumer with information to assist him or her in determining which of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards are applicable to the vehicle or equipment, and its date of manufacturer.

Estimated Annual Burden: For part 565 and part 567, NHTSA estimates the vehicle manufacturers will incur a total annual hour burden of 388,750 and cost burden of $5,053,750. For Part 541, NHTSA estimates the vehicle manufacturers will incur a total annual hour burden of 607,878 and cost burden of $75.68 million.

Number of Respondents: 1,000.

Comments are invited on: whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Department, including whether the information will have practical utility; the accuracy of the Department's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Issued on: September 23, 2004.

Stephen R. Kratzke,

Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.